How cortisol levels affect a person's quality of life

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex.

Cortisol is synthesized from a component of low-density lipoproteins - cholesterol, and is also synthesized in cells from acetyl coenzyme A.

Cortisol production is regulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day and affect many important bodily functions. However, the hormone can also become the enemy of our body.

When cortisol levels can fluctuate and what are the risks, read on estet-portal.com in this article.

• Cortisol functions. Cortisol levels throughout the day
• The Consequences of Constant Elevation of Cortisol
• Impact of low cortisol on quality of lifeand

Cortisol functions. Cortisol levels throughout the day

Cortisol takes part in the process of metabolism of proteins and fats, plays a role in carbohydrate metabolism.

Cortisol tends to reduce inflammatory responses, but by doing so it reduces the body's defense responses, which negatively affects the rate of wound healing.

Cortisol is called the stress hormone because it is released in response to stress, which, according to physiology, should help a person.

Under the influence of high levels of cortisol, a person can do things that he could not do in a stressful situation. For example, quickly run away from a barking dog or pick up a heavy stove that threatens life.

 

 

But it is very important that this stress be short-lived because after a stressful situation, cortisol levels should return to normal.

Unfortunately, in the modern world, most people stresses are continuous, one stress is added to another, and cortisol levels are constantly elevated, which leads to a change in well-being and appearance.

The level of cortisol fluctuates in each person throughout the day, which is normal.

The highest concentration of cortisol is observed in the morning hours, gradually decreasing                 by evening.

This pattern changes if a person works on a night shift or has a disturbed sleep and wakefulness pattern. In this case, the level of cortisol will be out of ranges.

Nutrition for Adrenal Health and Adrenal Fatigue

Consequences of persistently elevated cortisol levels

It has been proven that constant stress contributes to a persistent increase in cortisol levels, and is accompanied by changes in the functioning of organs and systems.

Namely:

• the harmonious functioning of the immune system is disrupted;
• blood glucose levels increase;
• sleep is disturbed;
• brain activity and cognitive ability decrease;
• there is constant fatigue and muscle weakness;
• function of the thyroid gland in the form of hypothyroidism is disturbed;
• blood pressure rises;
• appears obesity.

Thus, it becomes clear that the has less stress – the smaller the weighta.

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Impact of low cortisol levels on quality of life

Cortisol levels can either increase or be constantly low. This is facilitated by some pathological processes in the body, namely in the adrenal glands.

Among the reasons for lowering the level of cortisol in the body are:

• iatrogenic effects (medication, removal of adrenal glands);
• congenital dysfunction of the adrenal cortex;
• tuberculous lesion of the adrenal cortex;
• Addison's disease;
• pituitary insufficiency and hormonal insufficiency of the hypothalamic-adenohypophyseal system.

When low cortisol levels in the blood, patients complain of fatigue, muscle weakness, rapid fatigue, loss of interest in life, apathy and weight loss.

An important symptom of a chronically low level of cortisol – it is an increase in skin pigmentation.

This is especially noticeable in the folds of the skin and in places where it rubs with clothing. Moreover, a sharp increased pigmentation signals an approaching acute adrenal insufficiency.

The earliest sign of low cortisol levels is low blood pressure.

Patients complain about:

• dizziness;
• lethargy;
• fainting;
• increase heart rate;
• decreased appetite;
• weight loss;
• pain in the abdomen of unclear localization.

All this significantly impairs the quality of life and forces one to seek medical help. However, diagnosis may be delayed until patients are ruled out for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and gynecological problems in women, such as scanty or no menstruation.  

Reduced cortisol levels also affect sexual function.

This manifests itself in the form of suppression of sexual desire, hair loss in intimate areas, atrophy of the genital organs.

Elevated or decreased levels of cortisol significantly affect a person's well-being, health, appearance, behavior in society and the quality of life in general.

Therefore, it is important to avoid stressful situations, learn methods of stress relief and relaxation, as well as regularly undergo medical examinations and be attentive to any violations of your condition.

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